Asian trackfest lures 574 entries

Five hundred seventy-four athletes–399 men and 175 women–from 28 countries have confirmed participation in the 2003 Manila Asian Athletics Association Championships slated Sept. 19-23 at the Rizal track and field stadium.

Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan–former Russian republics–and HongKong are the latest additions. Thirty-three Kazakh athletes are entered -- 13 for Turkmenistan and 7 for the former Crown Colony.

Go Teng Kok, who briefly reported for work Wednesday after surviving a slay try last July 1, said he is considering fielding an expanded local list to give potential athletes some exposure.

"I will confer with secretary-general Ben Silva-Netto and my coaches to see the wisdom of allowing athletes in the developmental pool to take part. Personally, I believe that the experience of participating against the best in Asia will do them good in the coming years," Go said.

So far, world power China and India are sending the biggest delegation with 70 each, followed by Qatar with 69, Saudi Arabia 58 and Korea 41.

Except for Thailand, Cambodia and 2003 Southeast Asian Games host Vietnam, all Southeast Asian members have submitted their entries. Singapore has the largest with 36, Indonesia 28, Malaysia 21, Brunei 7, Myanmar 3 and Laos 3.